Table of Contents
A major buzzword over the past couple of decades has been “Recycle”. Catchy slogans such as “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” echo through schools and the minds of children across the country. And for good reason too, the amount of pollution in the world is increasing each year and it is having adverse effects on the Earth. Scientists are finding fish at the bottom of the Mariana Trench (the deepest place on Earth) with plastic in their bellies. If plastic is finding its way down 36,201 feet, you can assume that there is no place on Earth completely free of plastic. This plastic is detrimental to the environment and the organisms that reside within. The best way that you can help the environment is by reducing your plastic use, or if that’s not possible, reusing and recycling the plastic you do use goes a long way. 
One of the biggest sources of plastic in the plant world is the pots. If you go to a greenhouse or store that sells plants, it is likely that they are filled with plastic pots. It is hard to blame the companies for using these pots. They are cheaper, lighter, less likely to break and easier to transport than non-plastic options. Although there are eco-friendly alternatives out there, plastic pots are still used frequently. As long as this is the case, there will always be a need to recycle plant pots. 
A question that may arise when going through the recycling process is where do I recycle plant pots? Depending on your local government, throwing them out with the rest of your recycling might not be allowed or sufficient. Two giants in the plant and home gardening industry, Home Depot and Lowe’s, actually have plant pot recycling programs. Since 2009, Home Depot has run their Plant Pot Recycling Program where you can return plastic pots that hold flowers, plants bushes and more. This program is responsible for 15 million pounds of plastic being reused and recycled which significantly cuts down on the amount of waste in landfills. Lowe’s also provides a similar program, where you can return plastic pots, amongst other home items, to help reduce landfill waste. Return your pots to any Lowe’s associate and your good deed for the planet is complete! If you don’t live near either a Lowe’s or Home Depot, check with your local greenery or nature center. There is a chance they have a similar program and might be thankful for the pots as they no longer need to buy pots for their plants. They can just reuse yours!
One of the biggest sources of plastic in the plant world is the pots. If you go to a greenhouse or store that sells plants, it is likely that they are filled with plastic pots. It is hard to blame the companies for using these pots. They are cheaper, lighter, less likely to break and easier to transport than non-plastic options. Although there are eco-friendly alternatives out there, plastic pots are still used frequently. As long as this is the case, there will always be a need to recycle plant pots. Where can I recycle plant pots?
A question that may arise when going through the recycling process is where do I recycle plant pots? Depending on your local government, throwing them out with the rest of your recycling might not be allowed or sufficient. Two giants in the plant and home gardening industry, Home Depot and Lowe’s, actually have plant pot recycling programs. Since 2009, Home Depot has run their Plant Pot Recycling Program where you can return plastic pots that hold flowers, plants bushes and more. This program is responsible for 15 million pounds of plastic being reused and recycled which significantly cuts down on the amount of waste in landfills. Lowe’s also provides a similar program, where you can return plastic pots, amongst other home items, to help reduce landfill waste. Return your pots to any Lowe’s associate and your good deed for the planet is complete! If you don’t live near either a Lowe’s or Home Depot, check with your local greenery or nature center. There is a chance they have a similar program and might be thankful for the pots as they no longer need to buy pots for their plants. They can just reuse yours! 
